Seeing that she was just standing in the middle of the yard, he quickly took two steps forward, pushed open the door of the main living room, and gestured for her to go in: "This room on the left is reserved for you. Go in and take a look. If there is anything that is not suitable, or if you need to add anything, just tell me."
Xu Ningyan followed Gu Zhiyuan into the living room.
Upon entering the living room, one sees a portrait of a great man hanging in the center of the wall, with a five-drawer long table placed against the wall opposite the door below.
On either side of the table were two vases filled with brightly colored artificial plastic flowers. In the middle sat a radio, a round enamel tray with several glass teacups, two brand-new thermos flasks, and a box of tea.
In the middle of the living room was a coffee table covered with a white crocheted tablecloth. On the tablecloth was an old-fashioned black telephone. A set of white porcelain teapot and teacups were placed on a bamboo tray, and next to it was a large plastic fruit plate with several washed pears.
On both sides are old-fashioned single wooden sofas, each with cotton cushions and backrests sewn from checkered fabric, and small bamboo mats made of mahjong tile pieces are placed on the cushions.
The single sofa is made of an unknown material; it just looks dark and smooth.
In the middle of the sofa is a small table, on which are placed two pots of lush orchids.
Two cabinets, one tall and one short, were placed against the wall.
This kind of arrangement, which seems old-fashioned by today's standards, is already top-notch in this era.
There is a door on each side of the living room, leading to two bedrooms.
Half-length curtains were hung at the bedroom doors to allow for ventilation while ensuring privacy.
The bedroom on the left has bright windows, and although it's almost evening, the room is still quite well lit.
Sky-blue checkered curtains, a desk by the window with a lamp, two large ceramic vases, a hanging plant, and some familiar-looking junior high and high school textbooks.
There is also a chair with a backrest in front of the table.
Upon entering the room, to the right of the door, there is a wooden washstand with two brand-new enamel basins on it, and a snow-white towel draped over the shelf.
Next to the washstand was a dressing table with an oval mirror framed in it. On the dressing table were Friendship brand face cream, the most popular brand in Beijing, and Bai Que Ling face cream.
Beyond the dressing table was a double bed.
Opposite the bed was a large wardrobe with a five-drawer drawer.
A brand-new table fan sits on the five drawers.
The bed was covered with floral sheets and a floral quilt, with a light pink pillowcase and an old-fashioned white gauze mosquito net. This mosquito net was thick and dense, and apart from not being very breathable, it was perfect.
While Xu Ningyan was still looking around at the room's furnishings, Gu Zhiyuan had already gone out and brought in all her luggage, placing it on the writing desk.
"Let's see if anything is missing?"
Xu Ningyan shook her head. This condition would still be good even in ten or twenty years. She was only staying temporarily, so she had nothing to complain about.
"Then take a break, tidy up your things. There's hot water boiling in the kitchen. I'll call you when it's ready. There's a separate shower room next door—" Gu Zhiyuan pointed it out to Xu Ningyan through the window before leaving.
Xu Ningyan first opened the box and took out the clean clothes inside.
I laid it out on the bed first, and then opened the wardrobe.
Two sets of military green short-sleeved shirts and trousers were already hanging in the closet, with two brand-new towels neatly folded below them. Several empty hangers were hanging on the rack for hanging clothes.
There's a special empty space under the wardrobe where a pair of slippers are placed.
It's incredibly comprehensive; it's thought of almost everything imaginable.
Xu Ningyan hung up the clothes, leaving only a set of casual short-sleeved shirts and cropped pants that she would wear after taking a shower on the bed.
She also placed all the small, everyday items on the dressing table, instantly bringing life to the otherwise empty room.
Not long after, Gu Zhiyuan called her from outside, saying that the water was ready.
Xu Ningyan went out carrying clothes. Gu Zhiyuan had already brought two large buckets of water to the bathroom. There was a large aluminum bucket hanging on the wall outside the bathroom, with a few steps below. Gu Zhiyuan went up the steps, poured the water into the aluminum bucket, and came down. He whispered, "I'll ask Sun Zhou to go out and buy some food. I'll stay in the room. If there's not enough water, just call out. It's still boiling in the kitchen."
Xu Ningyan nodded, and seeing that the courtyard gate was already closed, she went into the bathroom with peace of mind.
The bathroom has a standard cement floor with a drain that slopes slightly to the corner, allowing the shower water to flow into the outside drainage ditch.
There was a showerhead on the wall, and in the corner of the wall, nails were driven in and two wooden shelves were hung, which could hold clean clothes, hang towels, and also had a brand new, unopened Bee & Flower sandalwood soap.
Turn on the showerhead, and warm water pours down, soaking your body and making you feel like all your pores are opening up.
Xu Ningyan took a refreshing shower, changed her clothes, threw her dirty clothes into the basin, and came out with a towel wrapped around her still dripping hair.
While Xu Ningyan was taking a shower, Gu Zhiyuan had already taken a shower and changed his clothes. He was sitting on a recliner under the pomegranate tree with his eyes slightly closed. The radio in the living room was also playing, which could cover up the sound of running water in the bathroom.
Gu Zhiyuan, who had been dozing, opened his eyes when he heard the noise. He saw Xu Ningyan carrying a basin into the left room, then coming out while drying her hair with a towel. She plopped down on the recliner next to her and asked, "Brother Sun, where did you go to buy food? Do you want me to make some more?"
Just then, Sun Zhou pushed open the courtyard gate and came in, carrying several lunch boxes and a bag full of steamed buns in his plastic mesh bag: "Quick, quick, you're in luck today. Chef Qi's braised pork is absolutely amazing. You've really caught it!"
He then placed several lunchboxes on the stone table under the grape trellis.
Gu Zhiyuan went to the kitchen and brought out bowls and chopsticks to set out.
The lunchbox was opened, revealing a box of braised pork, a box of braised ribbonfish, a box of stir-fried eggs with chives, and a box of braised eggplant. It looked so appetizing.
After finishing the meal, Sun Zhou tactfully took his leave.
It was already dark, and some neighbors had turned on their lights, while others had gone to bed early.
Seeing that Xu Ningyan looked tired, Gu Zhiyuan told her to get some rest.
Xu Ningyan was indeed tired. After brushing her teeth and washing her face, she turned on the electric fan, climbed into bed, and put down the mosquito net. The electric fan blew in a cool breeze from the window, and Xu Ningyan quickly fell asleep.
Gu Zhiyuan lived on the right side of the main house, and the light in his room stayed on until midnight before being turned off.
When I woke up in the morning, Gu Zhiyuan had already bought breakfast and put it on the stone table.
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